Images of Saint Stephen, such as above, often show him holding stones or a book. He stood confident of his independent view, unafraid to voice opposition to authorities, leading to his being condemned for blasphemy and to his being stoned to death. Imagine how painful each stone must have felt before the fatal blow set him free– bones, muscles, blood vessels and nerves being broken methodically. Before dying, he forgave his killers. The name, from Greek, refers to “crown of martyrdom.”

“… they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. … and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; … he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.”

ACTS 7:54-60. New Revised Standard Version.

“Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” by Bob Dylan

Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re trying to be so good / They’ll stone ya just a-like they said they would / They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to go home / Then they’ll stone ya when you’re there all alone / But I would not feel so all alone / Everybody must get stoned

Well, they’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ ‘long the street / They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to keep your seat / They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ on the floor / They’ll stone ya when you’re walkin’ to the door / But I would not feel so all alone / Everybody must get stoned

They’ll stone ya when you’re at the breakfast table / They’ll stone ya when you are young and able / They’ll stone ya when you’re tryin’ to make a buck / They’ll stone ya and then they’ll say, “good luck” / Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone / Everybody must get stoned

Well, they’ll stone you and say that it’s the end / Then they’ll stone you and then they’ll come back again / They’ll stone you when you’re riding in your car / They’ll stone you when you’re playing your guitar / Yes, but I would not feel so all alone / Everybody must get stoned

Well, they’ll stone you when you walk all alone / They’ll stone you when you are walking home / They’ll stone you and then say you are brave / They’ll stone you when you are set down in your grave / But I would not feel so all alone / Everybody must get stoned

I too remain a Catholic. I go to mass in a Franciscan parish, it is my saving grace in a church gone mad lately. Felt like cheering when I read tonight that all US Franciscan provinces are supporting the LCWR, the sisters in the US who are being
Scorned by Rome.